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REGULATORY UPDATES
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3/27/12, from ATA and FMCSA
Motor Carriers Can Now Preview the First Package
of SMS Enhancements
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is pleased to announce that motor carriers can now preview the first package of changes to the Safety Measurement System (SMS). FMCSA designed SMS to be improved over time as better technology, new data, and additional analysis become available. This release is the first in a series of improvements to SMS that will take place up to twice a year.
FMCSA is providing a preview period for motor carriers and enforcement personnel before it uses the SMS changes to prioritize motor carriers for safety interventions and before it makes those changes available to the public. The SMS Preview begins on March 27, 2012 and runs through late June 2012.
These first enhancements are the agency’s response to findings from its ongoing analyses of data and input from enforcement, industry, and other safety stakeholders. During the SMS Preview, FMCSA is collecting, assessing, and addressing feedback from preview participants, and may further refine the SMS enhancements prior to public implementation in summer 2012. As of March 27, 2012, carriers can access the SMS Preview through two websites:
1. Visit the CSA Website and log in with an FMCSA-issued U.S. DOT number and a personal identification number (PIN), or
2. Log in to the FMCSA Portal and select the “CSA Outreach” link.
FMCSA encourages motor carriers to view the SMS Preview to see how methodology changes will affect their SMS results. On the CSA Website’s Resources page, motor carriers and other stakeholders can access a foundational document that provides additional information about the first set of SMS changes. A Federal Register notice outlining the changes is also available for review. Written comments regarding the changes can be filed to the Federal Docket Management System, Docket ID Number FMCSA-2012-0074.
Read an ATA summary of the announcement
Download the full notice
12/22/11, from USDOT press release
New! Logbook Examples PDF
FMCSA Hours of Service Information
U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Hours of Service (HOS) Final Rule
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a new Final Rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises the hours-of-service (HOS) safety requirements for commercial truck drivers.
= FMCSA's new HOS final rule reduces by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week. Under the old rule, truck drivers could work on average up to 82 hours within a seven-day period. The new HOS final rule limits a driver's work week to 70 hours.
= In addition, truck drivers cannot drive after working eight hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes. Drivers can take the 30-minute break whenever they need rest during the eight-hour window.
= The final rule retains the current 11-hour daily driving limit. FMCSA will continue to conduct data analysis and research to further examine any risks associated with the 11 hours of driving time.
= The rule requires truck drivers who maximize their weekly work hours to take at least two nights' rest ... from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. This rest requirement is part of the rule's "34-hour restart" provision that allows drivers to restart the clock on their work week by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. The final rule allows drivers to use the restart provision only once during a seven-day period.
= Companies and drivers that commit egregious violations of the rule could face the maximum penalties for each offense. Trucking companies that allow drivers to exceed the 11-hour driving limit by 3 or more hours could be fined $11,000 per offense, and the drivers themselves could face civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense.
Commercial truck drivers and companies must comply with the HOS final rule by July 1, 2013. The rule is being sent to the Federal Register today and is currently available on FMCSA's Web site.
Read ATA's press release on the Final Rule
12/14/11
Technical Advisory on changes to insurance requirements for CMVs
Today FTA received a Technical Advisory from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Motorist Services. This advisory no. R11-08 (dated 12-14-11) pertains to changes to insurance requirements for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The advisory informs of recent changes to insurance requirements, which are effective immediately. Here is a brief synopsis based on the advisory and our conversations with officials at the agency:
= Insurance certificate holders must give 30 days’ notice of policy cancellation to HSMV.
= Specific language pertaining to the cancellation must now be endorsed in the policy itself (it used to be on the certificate of insurance or the ACORD form) = Additionally, the endorsement page of the policy must be provided at registration renewal (with revised language) = Insurance companies must have policy form/wording changes reviewed by Dept of Rev. before using in FL—this procedure is currently backlogged 4-6 months, making it impossible for them to meet this new requirement for the renewal cycle which ends Oct. 2012 (2013 year) = Therefore, HSMV is asking all tax collectors to accept the old documentation for this renewal cycle. For 2014 renewals, the new language and forms must be used.
= Insurance companies should implement changes and get the forms in the review queue at Dept of Rev. now.
Please be sure to contact the Dept of Highway Safety with any questions at: (850) 617-3711. You may download a copy of the Technical Advisory disseminated to local tax collectors here.
12/6/2011
Final Rule Banning Handheld Cell Phone Use by Truck Drivers Goes into Effect Jan. 3, 2012
Interstate truck and bus drivers will soon be prohibited from using handheld cell phones while operating their vehicles, under a final joint rule announced Nov. 23 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Here's a synopsis of key points:
= Ruling is for commercial vehicles with gross vehicle weight/weight rating of 26,001 lbs or greater.
= Driver fines could be up to $2750 and employer fines up to $11,000
= Ruling affects interstate commerce, not intrastate commerce
= Ruling goes into effect in January 3, 2012
= Florida could follow suit and extend the ban to intrastate commerce
Read the Final Rule
Read ATA's summary
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FTA UPDATES + NEWS
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4/13/12
Florida Vehicle Inspection Yields Over 170 Equipment Inspections for Safer Highways
The Florida Trucking Association partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol to hold a Voluntary Vehicle Inspection on I-95 southbound in the Port St. Lucie area on April 11, 2012. Over 50 FTA members attended, including safety, technical/mechanical, and Road Team staff. During the event, we performed hands-on inspections on over 170 vehicles and found 14 units with Out of Serivce violations. Seventy-seven (77) vehicles passed with no defects noted.
This annual event is an important partnership with the industry and enforcement/regulatory personnel. We want to especially recognize the efforts and professionalism of the FDOT personnel and FHP Troopers who participated, including the staff os Dustin Graciak (FDOT Scale Operations) and Lt. Steve Gove (FHP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement). You may view photos of the event here.
3/14/12
Trucking Industry Hails Passage of Historic Highway Bill
Arlington, Va. – American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves issued the following statement today congratulating the Senate for passing an historic, long-term highway bill, and urged the House to quickly follow suit:
“The highway bill passed by the Senate is an example of how things should work in Washington,” Graves said. “This bill advances the cause of highway safety and takes a number of important steps toward reforming our transportation system – two accomplishments that the committee chairmen and ranking members - Senators Boxer, Inhofe, Baucus, Hatch, Rockefeller and Hutchison - are to be commended for.
“As representatives of the trucking industry, we’re particularly pleased to see this bill provide not just attention to – but $2 billion a year in funding for – highway freight-specific projects, reforms and consolidates redundant programs, speeds project approval; and steers clear of the tempting, but ill-advised use of tolls on existing Interstates,” Graves said. “In particular, we’d like to thank Sen. Bingaman for his work to ensure that public-private partnerships protect the public interest, and that states do not get extra credit for selling off their transportation assets to the highest bidder. We also appreciate Sen. Hutchison’s efforts to prevent the spread of tolls.
“This bill is also a step forward for highway safety. It orders the creation of a clearinghouse for commercial drivers’ drug and alcohol test results, directs the federal government to create a notification system so employers can be told of drivers’ traffic infractions, moves us in the direction of establishing crashworthiness standards for large trucks, raises the bar new companies and drivers must clear before coming into the trucking industry; and orders the mandating of electronic logs for all commercial drivers,” Graves said. “While several safety initiatives, such as improved truck productivity, were not included in this bill, it is important to recognize just how much this bill does to improve truck safety.
“Now that the Senate has completed its work, I urge the House to pass its own bill and then quickly work with the Senate to send a bipartisan reform bill to the President, one which sets a new course based on the principles of promoting targeted, effective safety programs, and funding the most cost-beneficial transportation projects,” Graves said. ATA website
2/10/12
FTA, Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, Florida Highway Patrol Partner to Increase Truck Blind Spot Awareness Big trucks equal big blind spots, so pass safely
DAYTONA, Fla. – Drivers on Florida roadways may want to practice some relaxation techniques before hitting the road this month. The Florida Highway Patrol today announced an education and enforcement campaign to ticket aggressive truck and car drivers. In crashes involving cars and commercial trucks, actions by drivers account for 88 percent of the crashes. Only 12 percent of the crashes are the result of vehicle defects, road conditions or inclement weather. The campaign aims to reduce commercial motor vehicle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach, education and evaluation with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors. Read more about this join program at the DHSMV website
FTA's Florida Road Team is an important part of this educational program. We will be in the following areas to participate in the TACT press conferences and provide community education through our "No Zone" program. For more information, contact us or see our TACT event listing.
1/26/12
FTA Truckers Day at the Capitol, Tallahassee
FTA members and the Florida Road Team held events and meetings in Florida's Capitol Courtyard today to remind legislators and the public about the essentiality of trucking and to share the "No-Zone" safety message. Click here to view the evening news coverage of the event. Special thanks to members who attended the event and brought equipment to the display: Pritchett Trucking, Wal-Mart, Con-way Freight, AAA Cooper Transportation, and event sponsor, Pre-Pass.
1/24/12
FTA-Safety Management Council 2011 Safety Award Winners Announced
Thursday, January 20 was a special day for FTA's carrier and Safety Management Council members. The 2011 Safety Management Awards Banquet was held in Tampa to recognize excellence in professionalism and safety for FTA drivers, fleets and safety directors.
2011 Driver of the Year
Michael Lomastro, Sr., Publix Super Markets, Inc.
2011 Safety Professional of the Year
Patrick Tornwall, Wilson Trucking Corporation
2011 Overall Crystal Truck Winner
McTyre Trucking Company, Inc.
Fleet Awards: TL Category
Over 5 million miles:
1st - Wal-Mart Transportation LLC
2nd - Landstar Inway, Inc.
3rd - Landstar Ranger, Inc.
2 million - 5 million miles:
1st - Grammer Industries, Inc.
Under 2 million miles:
1st - McTyre Trucking Company, Inc.
2nd - Landstar Express America, Inc.
3rd - Land Span, Inc.
Fleet Awards: LTL Category
Over 5 million miles:
1st - Con-way Freight
2nd - Wilson Trucking Corporation
3rd - FedEx Freight
Fleet Awards: Bulk/Other
Over 5 million miles
1st - Oakley Groves, Inc.
2nd - Oakley Transport, Inc.
3rd - Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc.
Drivers of the Month
John Willingham, Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. (January 2011)
Kenneth Simmons, Wilson Trucking Corporation (February 2011)
Kenneth Thorton, Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. (March 2011)
Lonnie Purvis, Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. (April 2011)
Michael Lomastro, Sr., Publix Super Markets, Inc. (May 2011)
Pablo Benitez, Con-way Freight (June 2011)
Robert Costine, Publix Super Markets, Inc. (July 2011)
Gary Miller, Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. (August 2011)
Wallace Harris, Publix Super Markets, Inc. (September 2011)
Ricardo Buitrago, Con-way Freight (October 2011)
Michael Chambers, Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. (November 2011)
Tom Davis, FedEx Ground (December 2011)
Florida Trucking Association Wins 2010 "Good stuff" Trucking Image Award
The Florida Trucking Association was awarded the 2010 "Good stuff" Trucking Image Award for a state association at the ATA Annual Conference. The motor carrier winner was UPS and the industry supplier winner as Michelin of North America.